FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates generally to protective covers, and more particularly to a removable seat cover which contains liquid container storage capability. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Whether driving to work, sitting at their office jobs, or lounging at the beach, individuals encounter seats or chairs as part of their normal daily routines. Daily use eventually results in the seating portion of the seats or chairs becoming worn or damaged before the frame of the seat or chair. This can result in expensive recovering or replacement of the seat or chair. As a result, seat covers have been designed to provide protection to the seat from wear and tear, thereby extending the useful life of the seat. In addition, seat covers are also used to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for the user. Accordingly, numerous enhancements to the type of materials used and the way in which the seat covers are designed or attached to the seat have been developed over the years. Numerous seat covers exist in the prior art, including U.S. Patents D271,266, D879,939, D396,983, D499,297, D506,345, D610,854, and D610,855.

U.S. Patent 4,553,785 discloses a readily removable and washable cover for a beach lounge chair. The cover includes opposing end pockets which are slipped over cantilevered ends of the lounge chair. Between the end pockets is a contiguous panel which covers the seat area of the lounge chair. Depending free-hanging skirt portions on opposite sides of the cover are equipped with pockets. The cover further includes a pair of spaced head pillow support straps attached to the body portion. The cover may additionally contain slits enabling the attachment of a side table to the lounge.

U.S. Patent 4,723,814 describes a vehicle seat protection device for protecting a seat having a back. The vehicle seat protection device is described as consisting of a loose seat cover attached to an elongate member. The elongate member has fixing means for fixing the member in proximity to the upper edge of the seat back. The elongate member also has means for detachably connecting the seat cover thereto. The elongate member comprises a tubular bar of metal or plastic material which extends almost the complete width of the seat. The tubular bar may comprise two shorter bars connected by means of an external sleeve or an internal joint. One of the shorter bars may then be used alone if it is desired to protect only one half of the rear seat or a single front seat.

U.S. Patent 4,725,094 discloses a towel or cover for covering a lawn chair or sand chair. The cover is described as having a kangaroo-type pocket which is provided in the head or upper portion of the cover. The kangaroo-type pocket is described as being positionable in one of two positions. The first position is described as being in front of the chair for forming therein a pillow by providing clothing or other soft material in the pocket. The second position includes placement in the rear of the chair for storing other articles therein. The head portion of the towel includes a hood-type member for telescopingly receiving therein the top portion of the chair which it covers. The hood portion is also defined by a pair of stretchable rectangular-shaped gussets to allow the hood portion to stretchably fit over any type and size of chair.

U.S. Patent 4,877,288 discloses a lounge chair cover which includes an elongated panel of fabric having lateral edges and end borders. Back or end flaps are described as being secured to the panel at the end borders and partially along the lateral edges to define inwardly directed pockets at the ends of the panel. The pockets are dimensioned to be inserted over the ends of a standard multi-position lounge chair so that the panel covers the entire top surface area of the chair while the back or end flaps cover only the outermost portions of the underside of the chair. Elastic bands are used to snug the flaps against the chair. Additional pockets are formed in the back flap for convenient storage of miscellaneous articles. A cover flap depends from the back flap border and contains a hidden pocket for the storage of valuables out of sight. A pillow pocket is formed in the panel near one end for the slidable insertion of an inflatable pillow.

U.S. Patent 4,891,454 discloses a disposable infant seat liner. The seat liner is described as having a shoulder strap receiving slotways and leg or crotch strap receiving slotways. The slotways are further described as being designed to fit infant seat liners having various strap placements. Infant carrier handle or strap receiving slotways may also be included, and may be of an arcuate shape, for receiving infant carrier handles or waist straps. The strap receiving slotways may be selectively opened by a user, and may also be perforated to facilitate the selective opening. U.S. Patent 4,892,353 describes a cover for a chaise lounge chair having a body section made of absorbent material which extends over the chair surface. Fitted pockets are described to engage the head and foot ends of the lounge. Drop pockets are provided at the side of the cover and hang generally vertically when the cover is in place. An intermediate elasticized section extends transversely of the cover with elastic bands extending adjacent the elasticized strip.

United States Patent 5,005,901 describes a removable cover for a seat. The seat cover is described as containing a seat portion and a back portion, and is made of a pliable material. The seat cover is further described as containing a back covering portion, a seat covering portion and, formed on an exterior surface of the cover, a pocket. The back covering portion, seat covering portion and pocket are described as being integral, and the back covering portion and the seat covering portion are receivable in the pocket when the cover is not in use.

United States Patent 5,326,152 describes a cover for a folding lawn chair. The cover is described as including an enveloped or flapped portion on each of its ends into which each end of the lawn chair can be situated. The cover is also described as being designed to remain in position on the lawn chair regardless of wind and movement by the user. The cover further includes a strap to accommodate convenient carrying of the lawn chair. The cover is also described as including a pillow positioned at the head portion of the cover, a pocket for carrying magazines and other accessories, and an insulated receptacle for carrying and holding beverages such as soda and beer.

United States Patent 5,806,925 describes a breathable and washable protective seat cover for automobile seats or the like. The seat cover is described as comprising a multilayer construction that has been configured to form a pocket at one end that fits over the upper end of the seat and an elongated section that loosely covers the front surface of the seat. The multi-layer construction is further described as comprising an absorbent upper layer and a vapor permeable liquid-blocking lower layer. The upper layer wicks moisture away from the occupant and readily releases it through evaporation, the lower layer provides breathability while blocking liquid water, sweat, mud, and the like; thereby protecting the underlying upholstery and providing a comfortable seating surface. The lower polymeric membrane layer is described as providing a rubbery texture that grips the car seat upholstery to prevent movement or bunching of the seat cover when an individual enters the seat.

U.S. Patent 5,91 1,476 describes a seat cover for protecting a motor vehicle seat. The seat cover is described as being made from at least a double-layered piece of plastic, comprising a front layer extending over and protecting the seating and the backrest surface of the seat, and a rear layer connected with the front layer by transverse welding. The rear layer and the front layer are described as forming a backrest pocket for the reception of at least a part of the backrest, and form a seat pocket for the reception of at least a part of the seat cushion.

United States Patent 5,957,528 describes a seat cover preferably made of washable fabric which has flexible foam attachment members and a flexible foam flap. The basic structure of the seat cover is described as consisting of a seat portion and a back portion with a flap portion longitudinally extending between the seat and back portions. The flap portion has one or more deformable pad members affixed to the flap portion for insertion of the flap portion into the seat between the back and the seat cushion of the seat. Two or more strap members extend transversely from the opposite corners of the seat cover and have at least one deformable pad affixed to the end of the strap member for insertion of the end of the strap member between the seat and the car body.

United States Patent 6,000,752 describes a portable seat described as including a receptacle attached below the textile material that comprises a seat plane. The large size of the receptacle is described as resulting from a set of protrusions located on the leg assemblies that enable the foldable backrest to achieve an operative position for sitting without encroaching upon receptacle space. The zippers extend to three sides of the receptacle and provide access to the inside of the receptacle.

United States Patent 6,648,410 describes a temporary use seat cover. The seat cover is described as comprising a flat, rectangular sheet with an exposed surface of moisture absorbent fabric and at least a partial backing of a material providing a high coefficient of friction to grip the underlying upholstery material and preclude slippage, upon its opposite upholstery contact surface. Two straps extend from the upper edge, for securing about a vehicle seat headrest. Additional straps may be provided extending across the back of the upper and lower portions of the cover, for extending around the back of the seatback and beneath the forward edge of the seat bottom for additional security. The seat cover is further described as being useful in protecting costly vehicle upholstery materials from soiling or other damage, and also protects the occupant of the vehicle from burns to bare flesh which may occur when contacting certain upholstery materials which have been overheated in the sun on a hot day.

United States Patent 6,655,735 describes a non-absorbing protective seat cover having a seat portion and a back portion. The seat cover is described as comprising a water- impermeable and gas-permeable layer laminated to a non-absorbent non-woven layer, whereby the non-absorbing protective cover resists absorption of liquid contaminates from the user, hydrophobically repels liquid contaminants introduced thereto and protects the vehicle seat from damage.

United States Patent 7,600,813 discloses a seat cover adapted to removably cover a seat in an automobile. The seat cover is described as including a cover body being formed from one layer of non-woven material which may be made from spunbond-meltblown- spunbond (SMS) fibers. The cover body is further described as having a longitudinal direction and a pair of ends. The cover body defines a pair of pockets adapted to receive portions of the seat with the pockets disposed at opposite ends of the cover body.

United States Patent 7,762,628 discloses a lounge chair cover comprising a substantially-rectangular, typically absorbent, textile sheet and adjustable fasteners at the four corners of the textile sheet. Each adjustable fastener is described as comprising a small, triangular sheet of elastic textile attached along the longitudinal margin of a given corner of the textile sheet. A hook-and-loop fastener is described as being affixed near the bottom edge of the medial surface of the elastic textile. A mating hook-and-loop fastener is described as being affixed on the edge of the bottom lateral surface of the end of the textile sheet at such corner disposed so as to engage the hook-and-loop fastener on the medial face of the elastic textile, and the portion of the main textile sheet associated with the latter fastener. Two adjustable fasteners at the head or foot of the chair cover are described as creating paired brackets that conforms the head or foot, respectively, of the textile sheet into an L shape. Each adjustable fastener can be installed on a chair by draping the L-shaped head and foot of the chair cover over the corresponding rear and forward ends of the chair, and engaging the hook and loop fasteners at each corner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to a multi-functional, easily transportable seat cover which can be placed on a variety of seats/and or surfaces without the need to modify the overall design. The seat cover is constructed and arranged to provide covering of a seat in a first environment, such as a car seat. The seat cover in accordance with the instant invention therefore protects the seat from normal wear and tear and from a variety of uses that may cause harm to the seat. For instance, the seat cover is designed to protect the seat upholstery from users who are returning from a period of excess exercise in which their clothes contains sweat and perspiration. Excess moisture and perspiration increases the likelihood of the seat developing odors, debris built-up, bacteria build-up, and staining. Alternatively, the seat cover may protect the seat from excess heat. The seat cover, in accordance with the instant invention, is easily transportable from the first environment to be used in a second environment. Such portability provides the user the ability to quickly and easily transport the seat cover from the first environment and place it on a seat in another environment, such as a beach chair. In order to provide multi-functionality, the seat cover contains one or more pockets which are constructed and arranged to receive a variety of items, such as one or more head cushions or a plurality of personal items, and further provides for beverage storage.

An illustrative embodiment of the multi-functional, easily transportable seat cover which can be placed on a variety of seats/and or surfaces without the need to modify the overall design comprises an elongated material having an upper portion adapted for alignment with an upper end of a seat, such as a car seat, an indoor/outdoor chair, lounge chair, or the like, a lower portion adapted for alignment with a foot rest end of the seat, a front surface, a back surface, and a beverage container holding pocket attached to the bottom portion of said front surface, the bottom end of said back surface, or combinations thereof, the beverage container holding pocket having an open end and a closed end to define an inner cavity adapted to receive and support at least one beverage container. The elongated material may contain one or more additional pockets integrally formed within or located on the front surface, the back surface, or combinations thereof.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide a seat cover that can be placed on a plurality of seats. It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a seat cover that can be easily removed from a seat in a first environment and placed on a seat in a second environment.

It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a seat cover that contains a plurality of pockets which are constructed and arranged to store a plurality of items.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a seat cover that contains a plurality of pockets which are constructed and arranged to store one or more head cushions.

It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a seat cover that contains a plurality of pockets which are constructed and arranged to provide liquid container storage.

It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a seat cover that contains a plurality of pockets which are constructed and arranged to provide liquid container storage and are insulated to maintain the liquid container at a desired temperature.

It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a seat cover that contains a plurality of pockets which are constructed and arranged to store a plurality of personal items.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide an easily removable seat cover that is constructed and arranged to fit a variety of seats and contains a plurality of pockets which are constructed and arranged to store one or more head cushions, a plurality of personal items, and provide liquid container storage.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 A is a view of a first surface of the seat cover in accordance with the instant invention;

Figure 1 B is an alternative embodiment of the first surface of the seat cover illustrated in Figure 1A;

Figure 2 A is a view of a second surface of the seat cover in accordance with the instant invention; Figure 2B is a side view of the seat cover in accordance with the instant invention, illustrating the dual pocket assembly;

Figure 3 is an illustrative view of an alternative embodiment of the seat cover in accordance with the instant invention;

Figure 4 is an illustrative example of an inflation valve;

Figure 5 is a view of the seat cover of Figure 4, illustrating the upper portion in an inflated state;

Figure 6 is an illustrative view of an alternative embodiment of the seat cover in accordance with the instant invention;

Figure 7 is an illustrative view of the seat cover in accordance with the instant invention placed over a car seat;

Figure 8 is an illustrative view of the seat cover in accordance with the instant invention placed over a lounge chair;

Figure 9 is an illustrative view of the seat cover in accordance with the instant invention placed on a sandy surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

Referring to Figures 1A-2B, a removable seat cover 10 in accordance with the instant invention, is shown. The seat cover 10 may be made of any material, or combinations of materials, known to one of skill in the art, including but not limited to moisture impermeable materials, absorbent materials, wicking materials, waterproof materials, hydrophobic, non- absorbing materials, or rubberized backing materials. The seat cover 10 may be made of flexible material to allow the user to store the seat cover 10 in a folded or rolled-up state. The removable seat cover 10 contains an elongated material having a first front surface 12 and a second back surface 14. The seat cover 10 is defined by a top side 16, a bottom side 18, and opposing sides 20 and 22. The distance between the top side 16 and the bottom side 18 defines the length of the seat cover 10, which can be made in various lengths to accommodate the object it covers or is intended to cover. The distance between opposing sides 20 and 22 defines the width of the seat cover 10 and can be varied depending upon the width of the object it covers or is intended to cover. The shape of the seat cover can vary as well, thereby allowing for the seat cover 10 to be adaptable to a variety of sitting or lying surfaces.

The seat cover 10 may include a plurality of pockets which effectively divide the seat cover 10 into a plurality of defined areas. For example, a first pocket 24 defines an upper portion 26, see Figure 2A. The upper portion 26 is generally placed upon the upper end of a seat, typically at or near where the head and/or the shoulder of the user rests. The first pocket 24 has an open end and a closed end to define an inner cavity adapted to receive and support objects. The first pocket 24 is preferably sealed by a sealing member, such as a zipper 28. While each of the figures illustrates the cover using a zipper 28, other means, or combinations thereof, of closing a pocket, such as but not limited to, use of fabric loop and fasteners, such as VELCRO, buttons, snaps, stitching, or the like, may be used as well. The pocket may be formed as a hidden pocket or may extend outwardly like a pouch. Referring back to Figure 1A, a second pocket 30 defines a lower portion 32 of the seat cover 10. The lower portion is generally placed at the bottom end of the object to be covered, typically where a user's feet and legs rest. The second pocket area 30 is closed by use of the zipper 28. The distance between the upper portion 26 and the lower portion 32 is the main body portion 34. The main body portion 34 may contain curved areas 36 and 38 which are designed to provide coverage of the areas of a seat where the backrest meets the seating area. In order to provide additional storage, the seat cover 10 may optionally include one or more additional pockets 39 enclosed by a zipper 28. While the additional pocket 39 is illustrated on surface 14, such pocket may be positioned on either surface 12 or 14 and placed along any part of the surface. Referring to Figure IB, two opposing pockets 39 are positioned along the upper portion 26. The two opposing pockets 39 are sized and shaped to hold personal belongings such as money, credit cards, identification, a portable media player which is capable of storing and playing digital media (audio, video, and the like), such as an APPLE IPOD, or other electronic devices such as cell phones, cameras, or tablet computers. In a preferred embodiment, the second pocket 30 positioned on the first surface 12 is aligned in a substantially parallel manner and adjacently connected to the pocket 39 positioned on the second surface 14, thereby forming a dual pocket assembly 41 , see Figure 2B.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the seat cover 10 in which the upper portion 26 contains a pocket which is sealed by stitching 40. In the lower corner of the upper portion 26 is a valve 42, such as a Boston Valve or an oral inflation valve commonly used in blow-up beach balls, for easy inflation and deflation. Figure 4 is a partial view of 4-4 of Figure 3, illustrating the valve 42 attached to a portion of surface 12. The valve 42 contains a main body 44 with sealing cap 46. The valve 42 is preferably a one-way valve. Inflation of the upper portion, therefore, may be commenced by squeezing main body 44 while simultaneously exhaling air within opening 48. As the air is blown in, the upper portion 26 expands, forming an air cushioned area for placing a portion of a user's body, such as the head, thereupon. Once the desired amount of inflation has been reached, cap 46 is secured to opening 48. Figure 5 illustrates the seat cover 10 having a fully inflated upper portion 26.

Referring back to Figure 3, the lower portion 32 contains one or more independent compartments, illustrated herein as cylindrical pockets 50 and 52. The cylindrical pockets, which may be formed by continuous side walls 49 or 51, are constructed and arranged to hold various items, particularly liquid drinks or beverages, such as soda or beer cans 53, water bottles, or the like which can be inserted through opening 55. The cylindrical pockets, as well as any other pocket constructed and arranged to hold beverages is referred to generally as the beverage container holding pocket. Each of the ends of cylindrical pockets 50 and 52 may optionally contain partial enclosures 56 such as VELCRO strips, see Figure 5, or full enclosures (not illustrated) to provide the capability to partially or completely seal the ends and prevent items stored within from falling out during transportation. To maintain the beverage at a certain temperature, the cylindrical pockets 50 and 52 may be made of or lined with insulating material, such as neoprene, insulating foam liner, insulating foam rubber liner, vinyl, vinyl-plastic, or other insulating materials known to one of skill in the art. Additionally, the cylindrical pockets 50 and 52 may be made of a waterproof material to allow the pockets to be filled with ice.

Referring to Figure 6, an alternative embodiment of the seat cover 10 is illustrated. The first pocket 24 positioned on upper portion 26 is sized and shaped to receive a pillow 58. Placed within a beverage container holding pocket 59 is a beverage holding device, or support tray 60. The beverage container holding pocket 59 is preferably attached to or integrally formed within the lower portion 32 of the front surface 12, the bottom end of the back surface 14, or combinations thereof, and has an open end and a closed end to define an inner cavity adapted to receive and support at least one beverage container. The beverage holding device 60 contains a plurality of individual beverage holding cavities 62 which are sized and shaped to accommodate beverages of different sizes and shapes, i.e. cans, bottles, pouches, and is designed to maintain the beverage holders in an upright position through, for example use of loops, a rack, clips, or other securing devices known to one of skill in the art.. The beverage holding device may be secured within or to the pocket by any means known to one of skill in the art, such as stitching or use of fastening chemicals. To maintain the beverage at a certain temperature, the beverage container holding pocket may be made of or lined with insulating material, such as neoprene, insulating foam liner, insulating foam rubber liner, vinyl, vinyl-plastic, or other insulating materials known to one of skill in the art. Additionally, the beverage container holding pocket 59 may be made of a waterproof material to allow the pockets to be filled with ice. Once secured therein, the beverage container holding pocket 59 effectively forms a beverage cooler, thereby eliminating the need for a large and bulky traditional style cooler.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, seat cover 10 is illustrated in use. For example, Figure 7 illustrates a typical car seat arrangement having two seats 63 and 64 separated by a console 66. Car seat 63 is illustrated without seat cover 10 and includes a head rest portion 68, a backrest portion 70, a seat portion 72, and a leg rest portion 74. Seat 64 is illustrated with seat cover 10. The upper portion 26 is placed over the head rest 68 by placing the head rest 68 within the first pocket 24. The upper portion 26, therefore, allows for attachment to the back and/or head rest of the seat, functioning to keep the seat cover 10 in place while making it easy to install and remove. The main body portion 34 of the seat cover 10 is draped along the backrest portion 70 and seat portion 72. The curved portions 36 and 38 are positioned along the area where the backrest portion 70 and the seat portion 72 meet in order to provide complete coverage. The lower portion 32 is draped over the leg rest portion 74, thereby ensuring seat 64 is covered by seat cover 10. Figure 8 illustrates seat cover 10 placed on a lounge chair 76. The seat cover 10 illustrated in Figure 8 may be the same seat cover as illustrated in Figure 7. In such a case, the user simply removes the seat cover 10 from the car seat 64 and places it onto lounge chair 76. As illustrated, the upper portion 26 has an inflated head rest portion, either through the use of air or through the use of an inserted pillow, positioned at the top portion 78 of the lounge chair 76. The main body portion 34 is draped along the body portion 80 of the lounge chair 76. The lower portion 32 is placed at the bottom portion 82 of the lounge chair 76. While not illustrated, the lower portion may contain either the cylindrical portions 50 and 52 or the beverage holding device 60, thus providing a cooler which stores beverages while the user is lying down on the lounge chair 76.

While the seat cover 10 is shown covering a seat or lounge, the seat cover 10 can be applied to other surfaces, such as but not limited to grass, the beach, cement, or pavement. Referring to Figure 9, the seat cover 10 is shown placed over a sand filled environment 84, such as the beach.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.